Early this week, the world lost two incredible women to breast cancer, Rachel Cheetham Moro and Susan Niebur. These women's presence was deeply felt on the blogosphere, but most importantly, we in the online community came to regard them as friends.
We collectively mourn.
If you have not visited their blogs, please do so. I have provided the links above. Rachel's and Susan's blogs are filled with energetic writings about living with breast cancer.
Whenever I feel grief, I read the poem "In Memoriam" by Lord Alfred Tennyson, my favorite poet. It is a very long poem, but each word is important; in it, he works through his grief of losing a dear friend. I took a small excerpt that seems so comforting at this time.
"I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all."
So many bloggers have written outstanding tributes to these remarkable and brilliant women. Here are just some. If I have left anyone out, please feel free to put your posting and URL in the comments section.
Our Virtual, Very Real Friend Rachel by Jody Schoger
One Fateful Day in February by Nancy Stordahl
Susan and Rachel by Katie Ford Hall
For My Blogging Sisters by Stacey of Bringing Up Goliath
Rachel Cheetham Moro 1970-2012 by Gayle Sulik
For Rachel with Unending Love and The Same Love For Susan Just Hours Later by AnneMarie of Chemobrain...In the Fog with A.M. From BC 2 AD
Memory Pools from Ronnie of Being Sarah
I Spoke Too Soon by Renn of The 'Big C' and Me
This blog posting is an excerpt from my book in progress, Calling the Shots: Coaching Yourself Through the Medical System. Stay in loop for when it comes out. Subscribe to the blog in upper righthand corner.
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Sign in nowKatie
Thank you so much. We do collectively mourn. At least there is comfort in that.
And also the busy-ness. Sarah and Gayle getting things ready for Rach's celebration on Saturday. And getting Sarah packed and ready to travel to NJ tomorrow. Helping us get through the hollow sense of absence.
After two emotionally charged weeks, I am finally getting my blog reading up to date. It seems I do little more than run around like a chicken without a head.
I still remember that last Monday started with me goofing around about the Super Bowl.... we both were.... who knew what was coming in the moments and hours ahead....
I'm glad to have you sharing this journey with me. The burden is lighter-yes, big damn cliche... but so very true....
xoxoxo
We are a new kind of family, aren't we? I'm glad the celebration took place. Rachel so deserved it. We all will miss her.
Thanks for your kind words about my posting being a good addition to the list of remembrances. Very tough indeed for both voices to be gone at the same time.
I know you have had it really rough, first going to a funeral and only a short time later hearing of Susan's and Rachel's deaths. Yes, the Superbowl seems so much less important now.
Better late than never. You are so very welcome. These women will be remembered.